Tom Joyner to Offer Commencement Address at Tougaloo College in Mississippi

Tom Joyner, the nationally syndicated radio personality and philanthropist, is set to give the commencement address and receive an honorary doctorate at Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, Miss. 10 a.m.Sunday.

Joyner, host of the Tom Joyner Morning Show and founder and chairman of the Tom Joyner Foundation, will deliver his words of inspiration at 10 a.m. at the Woodworth Chapel. He also will receive an Honorary Degree for the Doctor of Humane Letters.

“Tougaloo has deep historical roots, particularly with its ties to the Civil Rights Movement,” Joyner said. “I’m looking forward to sharing some advice – and hopefully some inspiration – to the graduates, faculty, alumni and families gathered there.”

Dr. Beverly Wade Hogan, Tougaloo’s president, said there’s a great deal of excitement about the commencement, particularly since Joyner is the speaker.

“The graduating class and its families are more excited seemingly to know that Tom Joyner, The Fly Jock himself will be our speaker,” Hogan said. “We are so honored that Tom accepted our invitation. He is such a strong supporter of education and our nation’s HBCUs and a great humanitarian whose sphere of influence and impact can be found throughout our nation.”

Founded in 1869 by the American Missionary Association, Tougaloo offers the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees in 29 majors in the areas of education, humanities, social science and natural science. It also offers the associate of arts degree in three areas of study, as well as a post-baccalaureate certificate program. Tougaloo, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is often referred to “The Cradle of the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi”. It’s home of featuring over 1,150 works, the oldest of which are more than 400-500 years old (now on display in the Bennie G. Thompson Academic and Civil Rights Research Center)

The Tom Joyner Foundation (http://tomjoynerfoundation.org ) was founded in 1998 as the brainchild of nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner. The mission of the Foundation is to support historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with scholarships, endowments and capacity-building enhancements. The Foundation has provided necessary support to every HBCU to help sustain and preserve the legacies of these valuable institutions. Through fundraising and donor development initiatives, $65 million has been raised to support more than 29,000 students attending HBCUs. Additionally, the Foundation has recommended internships, offered matching grant support, and career development to deserving students. You can follow us on Facebook and Twitter .For more information about the Foundation or interviews with Tom Joyner, contact Neil Foote, media relations, Tom Joyner Foundation, neil@neilfoote.com, 214.448.3765. To learn more about the Foundation, go to http://tomjoynerfoundation.org